Epson EB-685WUltra Short Throw Projector 3500 Lumens WXGA HDMI WiFi School Wty

Epson EB-685W — Ultra Short Throw WXGA Projector

An ultra short throw 3LCD projector delivering 3500 lumens at WXGA widescreen resolution, with dual HDMI, VGA, USB and wired network connectivity. Backed by a 12-month Reboot IT warranty. Mounted just centimetres from the wall, it fills a classroom or meeting-room screen without anyone walking through the beam.

Key Benefits

• Ultra short throw design — the single biggest practical advantage. Mounted on a short arm just above the screen, it produces a large image from centimetres away, so no one stands in the beam and no one gets a projector lamp in the eyes while presenting.
• 3500 lumens brightness — bright enough to stay readable with the lights on and the blinds open, which is how real classrooms and meeting rooms actually operate.
• WXGA widescreen resolution — 1280 x 800 in a native 16:10 shape matches modern laptops, so slides and spreadsheets fill the screen without letterboxing or squashing.
• 3LCD colour — Epson's three-chip engine delivers colour brightness equal to white brightness, so images stay vivid rather than washing out to grey in a lit room.
• Dual HDMI plus legacy inputs — leave a room PC permanently connected on one input and keep the second free for a visiting laptop, with VGA available for older hardware.
• Network manageable — the RJ45 LAN port lets IT staff monitor and control the projector remotely rather than walking to every room.

Performance in Use

Ultra short throw changes how a room works. A conventional projector sits at the back or the middle of the ceiling, which means a long cable run, a presenter squinting into the lens, and shadows across the screen every time someone points at something. This unit mounts directly above the whiteboard, so the presenter can stand at the screen and annotate without casting a shadow or being blinded. For teaching and collaborative meetings, that difference is immediate.

The 3500-lumen output is the second half of the equation. Rooms with windows and overhead lighting are where cheaper projectors fail, washing out to a grey haze. At this brightness, and with 3LCD keeping colour output as bright as white output, text stays crisp and charts stay legible without darkening the room. Combined with WXGA widescreen resolution matching a modern laptop, a spreadsheet or a document projects at its native shape and stays readable from the back row.

Connectivity is built for shared rooms. Two HDMI inputs mean a permanently installed room PC or media player can stay connected while a visiting presenter plugs into the second port. VGA covers older laptops and document cameras still in service. The network port lets IT check lamp status, power the unit on and off, and manage a fleet of rooms centrally. Note that this is a mains-powered installation projector weighing several kilograms — plan for a proper wall mount and a power point near the screen.

Technical Specifications

Is It Right For You?

Condition Grades

Grading covers cosmetic appearance only. Every unit is functionally tested to the same standard regardless of grade. The lamp is a consumable item — remaining lamp hours are checked during testing and we can confirm the reading for a specific unit on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "ultra short throw" actually mean for my room?

It means the projector sits directly above the screen rather than across the room, producing a large image from a very short distance. The presenter can stand at the whiteboard without casting a shadow or looking into the lamp, and there is no long cable run to the back of the room.

Is a remote control included?

No. This unit is supplied without a remote control. The projector's on-body control panel handles setup and everyday operation, and the network port allows remote management. Compatible replacement remotes are widely available if you want one.

Is a wall mount included?

No. Mounting brackets are sold separately. Ultra short throw units use a specific short-arm wall bracket, so check that any bracket you buy is rated for this model and mounting position.

How many lamp hours are left?

Lamp hours are read during testing. The lamp is a consumable item that will eventually need replacing, and replacement lamps for this model are readily available. Contact us before ordering if you would like the reading for the specific unit in stock.

Will it work with my laptop?

Yes. Two HDMI inputs cover current laptops and media players, and the VGA input handles older hardware. Laptops with only USB-C video output will need a USB-C to HDMI adapter.

Can it be used in a room with the lights on?

Yes, that is what the 3500-lumen output is for. It stays clearly readable under normal classroom and office lighting. Direct sunlight falling on the screen will still wash out any projector, so blinds help in a very bright room.

How is it shipped?

Shipping costs apply based on size and destination — rates are calculated at checkout. This is a bulky, heavy item and is packed accordingly for transit from our Melbourne facility.